This fundamental study offers a reconstruction of the social world in which pottery was manufactured, distributed and used in ancient Palestine. Part I concludes that ceramic wares in the Bronze and Iron Ages were mass-produced for commercial sale by small workshops, probably family owned and operated. The technological level was high, with potters' wheels and permanent kilns being used. Part II argues that ceramic styles were rapidly spread throughout Palestine, primarily by itinerant merchants who sold ordinary household wares over great distances.

This is a printed out version of a bibliography of published drawings and photographs of Palestinian pottery likely to be of use only to scholars and students researching pottery from the Neolithic to Ottoman periods in Palestine. Though rather archaic in the era of the World Wide Web, further information about the original database can be found at "[email protected]".

Despite many years work on the technology of pottery production it is perhaps surprising that the origins of the potter's wheel in Egypt have yet to be determined. This volume seeks to rectify this situation by determining when the potter's wheel was introduced into Egypt.

"The Battle of Jericho: Myth or Fact?" is a comprehensive exploration into one of the most debated events in Biblical archaeology. Authored by a conservative Evangelical Christian Apologist and Biblical Archaeologist, this scholarly work delves deeply into the historical and archaeological evidence surrounding the ancient city of Jericho, famously known for its walls that collapsed at the blast of Joshua’s trumpet as recounted in the Bible. Structured in a systematic and detailed manner, the book begins with an introductory overview of biblical archaeology, providing readers with essential methodologies, tools, and principles used in archaeological research. It establishes the foundational techniques for uncovering and interpreting historical data, emphasizing the comparative value of archaeology in illuminating biblical narratives. Subsequent chapters are devoted to a chronological examination of the key archaeological expeditions at Jericho, from Charles Warren's pioneering 1868 excavation to the ongoing Italian-Palestinian Jericho Expedition's research up to 2023. Each chapter meticulously analyzes the objectives, findings, methodologies, and historical impacts of the respective excavations, presenting a critical assessment of their contributions to both archaeology and biblical scholarship. Particularly noteworthy is the detailed discussion of the contrasting findings and interpretations of archaeologists such as John Garstang, who supported the biblical timeline, and Kathleen Kenyon, whose conclusions challenged it. The book revisits Bryant G. Wood’s critical contributions in the 1980s and 1990s, reevaluating earlier findings and offering new perspectives based on pottery analysis and radiocarbon dating techniques. The culmination of these discussions leads to an in-depth analysis of the walls of Jericho, examining their construction, the evidence of their destruction by fire, and the lessons these findings provide for both archaeology and faith. The narrative then synthesizes all archaeological data to address the central question: "Was the Battle of Jericho a myth or a historical fact?" Looking forward, the final chapters discuss the future of biblical archaeology with a focus on emerging trends, innovations, and the increasing role of digital tools in enhancing archaeological accuracy. It also considers the ethical implications of excavating sacred sites, emphasizing the need for collaborative endeavors that respect cultural and spiritual heritage. "The Battle of Jericho: Myth or Fact?" is designed for a diverse audience, appealing to academic scholars, students of archaeology and biblical studies, and lay readers interested in the historical validity of biblical events. This volume seeks to affirm the historical reliability of the Bible through rigorous academic inquiry, grounded in a steadfast faith in its divine inspiration.

Ancient Israel did not emerge within a vacuum but rather came to exist alongside various peoples, including Canaanites, Egyptians, and Philistines. Indeed, Israel’s very proximity to these groups has made it difficult—until now—to distinguish the archaeological traces of early Israel and other contemporary groups. Through an analysis of the results from recent excavations in light of relevant historical and later biblical texts, this book proposes that it is possible to identify these peoples and trace culturally or ethnically defined boundaries in the archaeological record. Features of late second-millennium B.C.E. culture are critically examined in their historical and biblical contexts in order to define the complex social boundaries of the early Iron Age and reconstruct the diverse material world of these four peoples. Of particular value to scholars, archaeologists, and historians, this volume will also be a standard reference and resource for students and other readers interested in the emergence of early Israel.

In 1965, excavation work for a new swimming pool at Kibbutz Lahav discovered the first in a series of tombs from an Iron Age cemetery on the hillside south of Tell Halif. In 1972, as bulldozers worked to widen the road along the hill’s lower flanks, three additional burial caves were exposed, and in the years that followed, various explorations identified still more tomb sites along the ascending slopes. With the initiation of the Lahav Research Project’s excavation and survey work at Tell Halif in 1976, the cemetery area was designated as Site 72, and in 1977, in company with a LRP summer campaign at the site, another three tombs were excavated. Now, based on further reconnaisance and reinvestigations at the cemetery by Oded Borowski in 1988, Lahav III provides a comprehensive study of the Site 72 cemetery remains. Although the tombs are, in general, typical for the period, their architecture illustrates a significant range of variations and adaptations. Pottery from sealed deposits dates use of the cemetery to the Iron II era, from ca. 900 to 675 B.C.E., and the tomb population thus mirrors the dating of Iron Age occupation on the tell. The volume also explores the cultic associations and customs reflected in the burial processes. Lahav III is the third volume in the LRP series of final reports.